Condition responsive door holder-closer

ABSTRACT

A surface-mounted door holder-closer responsive to the particulate products of combustion passing through multiple passageways formed in a holder-closer housing cover, a holdercloser assembly frame, and a dark chamber which is an integral part of a photocell particle detector module. The particle detector module is insertable into the holder-closer frame with the frame and dark chamber walls not only defining the passageways, but also isolating the chamber from spurious light entering the chamber which would render a false alarm or false emergency door release. The frame also houses the principal components of the holder-closer, namely, a closer spring, a dashpot, a latching lever assembly, and an electromagnet responsive to modulated output current flow from the dark chamber to effect alarm or emergency release of the latching lever to close an otherwise open door. The integrated detector-holdercloser is advantageously and simply mounted on the lintel or header of a door frame.

" United States Patent [1 1 Coulter et a1.

1*Sept. 16, 1975 [73] Assignee: Rixson-Firemark, lnc., Franklin Park,Ill.

[ Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Dec. 11,1990, has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: June 11, 1973 21 App]. No.: 368,827

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.216,202, Jan. 7,

1972, Pat. No. 3,777,423.

[52] US. Cl. 16/485; 340/237 S; 49/31 [51] Int. C1. EOSF 15/20 [58]Field of Search 16/485; 49/1, 2, 31, 279; 340/220, 222, 237 S [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,740 2/1918 Steiger 340/237S 2,244,507 6/1941 Thomas 340/237 S 2,520,340 8/1950 Robinson 340/237 S2,591,511 4/1952 Clarke 340/237 S 3,255,441 6/1966 Goodwin et a1.340/220 3,648,326 3/1972 Gaysowski 16/485 3,729,771 5/1973 Crane et a1.l6/48.5 3,777,423 12/1973 Coulter et a1 16/485 Primary Examiner-Roy D.Frazier Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Aschenbrenner [57] ABSTRACT Asurface-mounted door holder-closer responsive to 'the particulateproducts of combustion passing through multiple passageways formed in aholdercloser housing cover, a holder-closer assembly frame,

and a dark chamber which is an integral part of a photocell particledetector module. The particle detector module is insertable into theholder-closer frame with the frame and dark chamber walls not onlydefining the passageways, but also isolating the chamber from spuriouslight entering the chamber which would render a false alarm or falseemergency door release. The frame also houses the principal componentsof the holder-closer, namely, a closer spring, a dashpot, a latchinglever assembly, and an electromagnet responsive to modulated outputcurrent flow from the dark chamber to effect alarm or emergency releaseof the latching lever to close an otherwise open door. The integrateddetector-holder-closer is advantageously and simply mounted on thelintel or header of a door frame.

15 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP 1 5|975 3, 905 O53 seam 1 OFg5 PATENTEBSEP I 61975 SHEET H []F 6 PATENTEU I 5|975 3. 905 O63 saw 5 o0 I2 [09 I270 I37 FiGJZ I09 6 I20 l26\ 58 4 m gm 4 WW 0 (D Q Ill I24 3597 H 95 nn.

RELATED: APPLICATION through the doors become smoke laden. Accordingly,the doors must be manually reopened toip ermit evacuation of thosepersons who may have delayed their exit.

Examples of prior art patents relating "to 'condition This applicationis a continuation-impart of appli- 5 detectors and also detectorresponsive doors are as folcants copcnding application Ser. No. 216,202,filed lOwS:

US PATENT FILED INVENTOR TITLE 1,392,002 6-21-19 Engle Thermo Controlfor Fire Doors 2,665,129 1-5-54 Durbin et a1 Thermoelectric DoorOperating Mechanism 3,009,138 1 l-l4-6l Lindsay Radioactive BurglarAlarm System 3,039,764 6-19-62 Heinsman et al Electric Door Operator3,069,997 12-25-62 Julian Apparatus for Preventing Exfiltration ofSmoke-Laden Air from Smokehouse Enclosures 3,207,273 9-21-65 JurinClosure Release Device 3,382,762 5-14-68 Vasel et a1 Smoke DetectingDevice 3,430,220 2-25-69 Deuth Fire Detector 3,445,669 5-20-69 Jordan eta1 Radiation Sensitive Carbon Monoxide Detector 3,447,152 5-27-69 JensenFire and Smoke Alarm Device I 3,495,353 2-17-170 Forsberg Door OperatingMechanism 3,496,381 2-17-70 Wisnia Proximity Control Guard Plate3,497,995 3-3-70 Forsberg Height Sensitive Proximity Door OperatorSystem 3,500,368 3-10-70 Nagoa Abe Automatic Ionic Fire Alarm System3,534,499 10-20-70 Chafi'ee Door Opening Apparatus Jan. 7, 1972, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,777,423 for Condi- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ResponsweDoor nolder'clgser' The invention herein described incorporates a photo-BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The prior art is prolific in doorholder-closer structures responsive to the products of combustion toeffect an alarm or emergency release of open doors. Where such doors arereleased by detectors, several approaches have been employed, generallyranging from door release'by a complex central fire alarm systemcharacterized by detectors spaced throughout a structure undersurveillance to a simple form of a fusible element mounted on the arm ofa door closer.

The most common type of quick response detector employed has been aphotocell (refraction type) detector or an ionization detector mountedon the ceiling of a corridor, approximately five feet from a fireresistant door to effect a barrier which will prevent passage of theproducts of combustion from one section of a building to another. As ageneral rule, if the top of the door,

- or lintel, extends below the corridor ceiling over eigh- In the eventproducts of combustion are generated, adetector located on the ceilingcauses the release of all controlled doors to close the corridors. Atthis stage, personnel evacuation of a building is possible since thedoors will-open in the direction of egress from the building. However,in many casespremature and unsafe door closing :is effected because thedetection of ceiling smoke'will occur well before the exitways cellparticle detector module in the holder-closer housing. The housing ispreferably located above the door A on the lintel or header of the doorframe. Any products of combustion pass through multiple passagewayslocated within the holder-closer housing to actuate the detector.Location of the detector at this point and within the holder-closerhousing effects a major safety advantage. Instead of each controlleddoor closing at the first evidence of smoke at the ceiling (and theceiling may be from seven to fourteen feet high), each door will nowremain open until the smoke level builds downwardly from the ceiling tothe height of the door leaving the doors open for persons to move ineither direction until such time as smoke or products of combustionbegin to block the actual exitway.

It is impossible to predict the logic of most persons under a fire orpanic condition. Faced with closed doors, many persons will panic eventhough the doors will manually open with a normal force. Moreover, earlydoor closing is highly disadvantageous for those buildings within whichnon-ambulatory patients are housed.

The location of the detector near the center of the door or, in the caseof a double door closure, near the center of the corridor, is simply thebest location to detect smoke or products of combustion. This detectorlocation is effectively attained by this invention because the end ofthe closer-holder housing containing the detector is generally solocated. There is a natural flow of air or draft through a closureopening. This flow will carry the products of combustion through thisopening and also effectively through the detector fluid flow passagewaysformed into the surface mounted holder-closer of this invention. Thedetector, however, is not actuated until the exitway is subject to'smokepassage; thus, facilitating evacuation the las t possible safe moment. i

Additionally, the present invention has the economic advantage thatregardless of the height of the corridor ceiling relative to the heightof the door, one detector is all that is required to properly monitorthe door. The interconnection of separated detectors and controlledholder-closers is eliminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that all of the structuralfeatures for attaining the objects of this invention may be readilyunderstood, reference is herein made to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the surface application of the conditionresponsive door holder-closer of this invention to a single door;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the application of one door holder-closer ofthis invention to control a pair of corridor doors;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing certain principal components of thedoor holder-closer, namely, the photocell particle detector module, theholder-closer assembly, and the cover;

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view showing the top-bottom accessopenings for the products of combustion in the cover, the photocellparticle detector module, and the holdercloser frame;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 showing therelative alignment of the front-topbottom openings of the cover, frameand module which provide fluid flow access to the photocell darkchamber;

FIG 6 is a top view with certain components being broken away to showthe top and bottom circularly disposed access openings;

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of that portion of the cover having thecombustion products access openings;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the particle detector with a portion ofthe chamber wall being broken away to expose the internal disposition ofthe components within the chamber;

FIG. 9 is a bottom fragmentary view of the portion of the doorholder-closer containing the photocell particle detector module withcertain components being broken away to expose elements of the modulechamber and also to show the relative disposition of the module relativethe closer spring;

FIG. 10 is a top fragmentary view of the door holdercloser assembly,showing in full or in section the principal components of theholder-closer, namely, the closer spring, dashpot, electromagnet and thelatching lever assembly;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 10 with the dashpotpartially in section (see lines 1lll of FIG. 10) to show the details ofthe dashpot and the dashpot rollers;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the door holdercloser showing thelatching lever assembly being manually overridden from a hold-openposition and with the electromagnet energized;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the door holdercloser showing thelatching lever assembly being released in response to the deenergizationof the electromagnet;

FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the latching lever assembly coupled tothe holder-closer dashpot by a fulcrum pin; 9

FIG. 15 is a section view of the latching lever assembly taken alongline 15l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic circuit, with the principal components of thedoor holder-closer being diagrammatically shown, which shows thefailsafe connection of the photocell particle detector module to itsassociated circuitry;

FIG. 17 is a view showing the surface application of a second embodimentof the condition responsive door holder-closer of this invention to adoor;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 showing, however, a secondform of photocell particle detector;

FIG. 19 is a section view taken along line l919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a detailed view showing the two source light paths taken inthe photocell particle detector of FIGS. 18 and 19; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic circuit showing the connection of the particledetector of the second embodiment to the schematic circuitry of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG.1, the condition responsive electromechanical door holder-closer l ofthis invention is shown typically applied to a flush door 2 which issupported by a plurality of butt hinges 3 (only one of which is shown)upon a conventional metal door frame 4.

In general, door holder-closer 1 includes a track 5 within which a slideblock (not shown) reciprocates. The left end of standard arm 6 iscoupled to the slide block. The right end of arm 6 is coupled to theprojecting end of a rotating drive spindle (114 of FIG. 11) which is anintegral part of the holder-closer dashpot.

The door holder-closer housing includes a cover 7 which contains theprincipal components of this invention, namely, a photocell particledetector module, a coil spring, a link chain, a dashpot and anelectromagnetic lever assembly.

In the usual preferred installation of door holdercloser 1, cover 7 andits contained components are fixedly positioned on the header trim 8 ofdoor frame 4, and track 5 is fixedly positioned immediately below cover7 adjacent the upper edge of-flush door 2 as is shown in FIG. 1.

As is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, cover 7 has a planar bottom wall 9,a planar front wall 10 with curved ends, and a planar top wall 11.

Bottom wall 9 is formed with a plurality of circularly disposed openings12, front wall 10 is formed with two rows of rectangular openings 13,and top wall 11 (FIG. 6) is formed with a plurality of circularlydisposed openings 14. As is hereafter outlined in detail, openings 12,13 and 14 located in cover 7 are so aligned with other openings toprovide fluid flow access for the products of combustion to a photocellparticle detector which is part of the detector m'odule located withinthe housing.

FIG. 2 shows the application of one condition responsive doorholder-closer l of this invention to control a pair of corridor doors 2and 2'. Each door 2, 2' is controlled by a closer 1, 1', respectively.

It should be noted, however, that only door 2 is controlled by aholder-closer 1 which includes a cover 7 formed with a plurality ofopenings such as shown with respect to cover 7 of FIG. 1. Holder-closerl' which controls door 2' is contained within a cover 7 which has noopenings that correspond to openings 12, 13 and 14 of cover 7. Ingeneral, holder-closer 1 is constructed in a manner identical to that ofcondition responsive holder-closer l with the exception that no particledetector module is included within the closer I. As willbe hereinafteroutlined, the electrical circuitry of closers 1 and 1 are interconnectedso that if holdercloser I detects products of combustion, both closersare activated simultaneously so as to close doors 2, 2' in response tosuch detection. It has been found that it is unnecessary in theapplication of a pair of doors which close off a hall or corridor toemploy individual detectors within each of closers 1 and 1 inasmuch asthe single detector is capable of adequate response to close off bothdoors.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the two principal components of thedoor holder-closer 1, namely, the particle detector module 15 and thedoor holder-closer assembly 16. Module 15 is insertable within assembly16 by module movement in the direction of the arrow, and the combinedmodule holder-closer assembly is enclosed by cover 7 by relativemovement of combined components 15 and 16 in the direction of the arrowstoward cover 7.

Door holder-closer assembly 16 includes a metallic frame 17 which isgenerally U-shaped in cross section, having an elongated irregularbottom 18, a connecting back 19, and an elongated irregular top 20. Asis shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, frame bottom 18 and frame top 20 areformed with circular openings 21 and 22, respectively. The plurality ofcover bottom openings 12 are aligned with frame opening 21 as is shownin FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, so that opening 21 provides bottom access foropenings 12 into the interior of frame 17. Similarly, the plurality ofcover top openings 14 are aligned with frame opening 22 so that topaccess may be had into the interior of frame 17 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

In view of the fact that frame 17 has no front covering adjacent frameopenings 21 and 22, cover openings 13 permit direct fluid flow accessinto frame 17 (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 7).

As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, particle detector module 15 is an integralelectrical unit having a body portion 150 from which a finger portion15b projects. As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, frame 17 is formed with achamber which will receive module 15. Module 15 comprises a supportingframe having two metallic sides 23 and 24 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 9) joined by ametallic bottom 25. Metallic sides 23 and 24 are fixed in the paral' leldisposition by means of metallic spacer posts 26 and 27 (FIG. 9).

Electrical components and interconnecting wiring generally denominatedby numeral 28 are mounted upon circuit board 29. These componentsconstitute part of the particle detector amplifier hereinafterdescribed. Circuit board 29 is electrically isolated from module bottomby insulating sheet 30.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, 9 and 16, a photocell particle detector 31comprises generally a housing having a light source 33 disposed outsidethe housing, and a photocell detector element 34 also disposed outsidethe housing.

Detector 31 is particularly adapted for use as the detector unit of asmoke alarm and for this purpose the housing comprises a peripheral wallor main body portion 35 and a pair of end caps 37 and 38 defining anintemal chamber 36. The end caps extend beyond the periphery of wall 35and have inwardly turned flanges 39 and 40 which are spaced outwardlyfrom the wall. Each end of wall 35 is provided with a series ofoutwardly inclined spacing lugs 41, which are adapted to engagefrictionally the inner surface of the flanges to retain the caps inassembly. The flanges 39 and 40, in conjunction with the spacing lugs41, form a peripheral passageway having sets of apertures 49 opening thechamber 36 at each end of the wall to permit smoke to enter the chamberfrom the surrounding atmosphere. Circular screen segments 50 and 51cover each of the apertures to prevent particulate matter of anon-combustion variety from entering the chamber.

A focusing tube 42 extends through housing wall 35, and a light traptube 43 is disposed in the housing wall on the opposite side inalignment with the focusing tube 42. These elements direct and controlthe light beam from source 33. A lens 44 of the converging type isdisposed within focusing tube 32, with a focal length such that lightfrom the source 33 is focused in a converging beam onto the bottom ofthe light trap tube 43, so that the beam from the light has a minimumsize at the bottom of said trap, and substantially none of the lightfrom the source falls on any other portion of the inte rior surface ofthe housing.

A detector tube 45 extends through the housing wall between the lighttrap tube and the focusing tube, and is disposed generally perpendicularto the axes thereof. A photocell detector element 34 is disposed in thedetector tube, and to restrict the field of view of the detector, a lens46 of the converging type is disposed in the detector tube between thedetector element and the chamber. Lens 46 has a focal length such thatthe image of the detector element is focused onto a minimum area on theopposite surface of the housing wall. The cone of focus of the detectorelement is directed across the cone of focus of the light beam, so thatthe detector element views only the medial portion of the light beam andthe field of view of the cell at the opposite wall portion is confinedto the medial portion of the wall. The photocell does not view theperipheral apertures at the top and bottom of the wall. Hencesubstantially no light reaches the detector element except lightappearing in the focus cone of the lens 46. To further insure that aminimum amount of the internal stray light reaches the detector element,the end 47 of the detector tube on the side adjacent the light tubeextends forwardly to the cone of focus of the light beam to provide ashield against stray light from the inside surface of the focus tube.The end of the detector tube from this foremost point is inclinedrearwardly at an angle such that the inside surface of the detector tubecannot view the inside surface of the focus tube. To prevent strayreflected light from the inside of the light trap tube from reaching thedetector lens 46, the side of the end of the detector tube adjacent thelight trap bodiment a detector circuit hereafter described may beconnected to the detector element and adjusted under normal conditionsof no smoke so that a predetermined further decrease in cell resistancewill actuate an external alarm connected to the detector circuit. Whensmoke enters the housing and appears in the light beam, light from thesmoke particles in the portion of the light beam viewed by the detectoris reflected or diffused onto the detector cell, thereby lowering the resistance of the cell and actuating the alarm circuit.

US. Pat. No. 3,382,762 issued May 14, 1968 describes further details ofthe photocell particle detector.

As is shown in FIGS. and 9, particle detector 31 is supported withinmodule by a plurality of support brackets 53. The detector is alsotightly sandwiched between module sides 23 and 24 by a pair of spacedinsulating discs 54 and 55 (FIG. 5). Module wall 23 is formed with aplurality of circularly disposed openings 56 (FIG. 4) to permit fluidflow access to the adjacent chamber apertures 49. Similarly, module wall24 is formed with a plurality of circularly disposed openings 57 (FIG.5) to permit access to the adjacent chamber apertures 49. Accordingly,fluid flow access into interior chamber 36 is provided by the followingthree passageways:

1. front passageway through cover openings 13 to the adjacent chamberapertures 49 (FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 2. bottom passageway through coveropenings 12, frame opening 21, circularly disposed module wall openings56 to the adjacent chamber apertures 49 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5); and

3. top passageway through cover openings 14, frame opening 22,circularly disposed module wall openings 57 to the adjacent chamberapertures 49 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

As is hereinafter outlined with reference to the schematic-diagrammaticrepresentation of FIG. 16, fluid flow, i.e. the passing of theparticulate products of combustion through the foregoing passagewaysaffects the electrical resistivity or other characteristics of photocell34 so that appropriate amplifier circuitry can detect such products.

The principal components of door holder-closer 1 which cooperate withparticle detector module 15 will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 10and 11, support frame 17, which is enclosed within cover 7, houses thefollowing principal components; namely, spring coil assembly 79, linkchain 80, dashpot 81, electromagnet 82 and latching lever assembly 83.

Latching lever assembly 83 is described in US. Pat. No. 3,729,771,issued May 1, 1973 to Burke .1. Crane et al for Latching Lever Assemblyfor Door Holder- Closer.

Spring assembly 79 includes compression coil spring 84 which envelops aspring rod 85. The left end of spring rod 85 is threaded (FIGS. 9 and10) so that the adjacent end of spring 84 is held by spring retainer 86.Retainer 86 is adjustably mounted relative threaded rod 85 by washer 87and spring tension adjusting nut 88.

The right end of spring 84 is supported on spring support plate 89 whichhas a retaining circular flange 90. Flange 90 receives the adjacentcontacting spring 84 turn. Accordingly, spring 84 is positioned relativeto rod 85 by spring retainer 86 and spring support plate 89 so thatadjustment of nut 88 can vary the static compression force generated byspring 84.

Lateral movements of spring 84 relative to frame 17 are limited by frontspring guide 91 and rear spring guide 92.

The right end of spring rod (FIGS. 10 and 11) is coupled to link chain80 by connecting pin 93. The right end of link chain 80 is coupled todashpot 81 by connecting pin 94.

The details of the dashpot, particularly with reference to FIGS. 10 and1 1, will now be described. In FIG. 10, a simplified horizontal sectionview of the dashpot is shown and in FIG. 11 a simplified verticalsection view taken along lines 1111 of FIG. 10 is shown.

In its principal aspects, dashpot 81 comprises a fixed stator 95 whichis housed within cavity 96 defined by generally cylindrical rotor 97.Stator 95 is formed with a pair of stator vanes 98 and 99. The statorand its vanes remain fixed atall times relative support frame 17. Stator95 is formed with a mounting flange 100 (FIG. 11) which is fixed toframe top 20 by a plurality of screws 101.

Rotor 97 supports a pair of integral vanes 102 and 103 (FIG. 10) whichrotate with the rotor. As is shown in FIG. 1 1, rotor 97 comprises acylindrical section 104 to which annular flanges 105 and 106 are fixedlyattached. The rotation of rotor 97 produces a corresponding rotation ofannular flanges 105 and 106.

Connecting pin 94 extends between flanges 105 and 106 to anchor chain 80responsively to rotor 97. Likewise, roller pins 107 and 108 extendbetween the flanges so that rollers 109 and 110 may rotate relativetheir associated pins and between the flanges. Rollers 109, 110 alsomove responsively with rotor 97 and flanges 105, 106.

The interior dashpot cavity 96 defined between rotor 97 and stator 95contains a viscoelastic plastic solid. This material may preferably beeither a natural or synthetic unvulcanized rubber or an elastomeric-likematerial known as bouncing putty. This damping medium is contained withcavity 96 by means of O-ring seal 111; damping adjusting screw 112 ismanually movable within its threaded bore to exert a varying pressureupon the damping medium through port 113 (FIG. 11). Rotor spindle stem114 receives the lower end of rotor cylindrical section 104 so thatelements 104, 114 rotate in unison. Consequently, the attachment ofstandard arm 6 to spindle stern 114 produces related movement betweenarm 6 and the dashpot rotor elements. Rotor elements 104, 114, includingflanges 105 and 106 are rotatably fixed relative frame 17 by bearingplates 115 and 116.

Stepped pin 117 serves as an alignment bearing for rotor 97 relativestator 95.

As is shown in FIG. 10, electromagnet 82 and lever assembly 83 areclosely associated with dashpot 81. In particular, electromagnet 82 issupported on frame 17 by electromagnet support plate 117.

Referring now principally to FIGS. 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15, the latchinglever assembly 83 will now be described. The principal elements of leverassembly 83 are lever 120, lever fulcrum shaft 121, lever assemblybiasing spring 122, armature-lever coupling spring 123, armature plate124, screw-washer-nut 125, and spring alignment cylinder 126.

Lever 120 is formed with a latch detent 127 whose main function is toengage rollers 109 and 110 to effect hold open. The lever is also formedwith a yoke having legs 128 and 129 from which lugs 131 and 132 projectto receive coupling spring 123.

Coupling spring 123 (FIG. 14) is a helical wound torsion spring formedinto two divided and joined sections 133 and 134 having a central springconnector loop 135 (FIG. and two end connector loops 136 and 137 (FIG.14). v

Spring 123 is shown in its tensioned position; that is, end connectorloops 136 and 137 have been relatively rotated under spring tension sothat loops 136 and 137 are adjacent central connector loop 135 as isshown in FIG. 15. This disposition of connector loops 135, 136 and 137places spring sections 133 and 134 in torsional tension. Accordingly,when loop 135 is rigidly fixed to armature 124 by bolt and nut 125 (FIG.15) and end connector loop 136 is fixed to lug 131 and end connectorloop 137 is fixed to lug 132 (FIG. 14), coupling spring 123 develops astrong torsional force which tends to force armature plate 124 againstlever 120 as is shown in FIGS. 10, 13 and 15. However, it should benoted that as shown in FIG. 13, the resiliency of spring 123 enablesarmature plate 124 to be separated from lever 120 in response tooppositely directed forces as will be hereafter outlined.

When door 2 is closed, as is shown in FIG. 1, and regardless of theenergized or deenergized condition of electromagnet 82, lever assembly83 assumes the position shown in FIG. 10. As is shown in this Figure andI also FIG. 14, lever 120 is pivoted relative dashpot 81 by fulcrum pin121. Fulcrum pin 121 also receives biasing spring 122 so that a force isexerted by this spring which normally urges the lever assembly to theposition shown in FIG. 10; that is, a position in which armature 124rests against electromagnet 82.

When electromagnet 82 is energized, armature 124 is magneticallyattracted to the core of the electromagnet. However, as door 2 isopened, rotor 97 (FIGS. 12 and 13) is rotated counterclockwise movingtherewith chain 80 and thus compressing closer spring 84. Thecounterclockwise motion of the rotor also causes rollers 110 and 109, inthat sequence, to pass under latching detent 127, thus elevating lever120 as is shown in FIG. 12. Armature 124, however, is magnetically fixedagainst electromagnet 82 in response to the energization of thiselectromagnet.

As the rotor 97 is rotated counterclockwise a further slight angle fromthat shown in FIG'. 12, roller 109 (or roller 110 depending upon theamount of angular holdopen desired) is held in engagement againstlatching surface 127a of. latching detent 127. With this occurrence,lever 120 is lowered so that it assumes the relative position withrespect to armature 124 shown in FIG. 10. Door 2 is thus held open bythe engagement of either roller 109, 110 and latching surface 127a.

In the event it is decided to manually override the hold-open latch ofdoor holder-closer 1, the clockwise movement of rotor 97'causes rollers109, 110 to elevate or cam away lever 120 so that the closer spring 84can rotate rotor 97, thereby causing standard arm 6 to move within track5 to close door 2.

It is important to note that during this condition of manual override,armature 124 is retained against electromagnet 82 as is shown in FIG.12. In other words, during manual override, armature 124 alwaysmaintains contact with electromagnet 82. The resiliency of couplingspring 123 enables lever 120 to move upwardly without a correspondingmovement in armature 124.

In the event door 2 is held open in response to the engagement of eitherroller 109, with respect to latching surface 127a, and electromagnet 82is deenergized due to the opening of a manual operate switch or thedetection of an undesired condition by particle detector 31, leverassembly 83 is released as is shown in FIG. 13 and rollers 109, 110 camlatching detent 127 upwardly. In view of the fact that electromagnet 82is deenergized, a holding force is not applied to armature 124 and thearmature maintains its contact position with respect to lever as aresult of the torsional forces applied to armature 124 and lever 120 bycoupling spring 123.

In all situations in which electromagnet 82 is deenergized, leverlatching assembly 83 produces a characteristic release noise which isundesirable. However, in the usual installation of a holder-closer ofthe type described, an emergency or alarm release rarely occurs;accordingly, such noise can be tolerated. Manual override, however, is acommonplace occurrence, and in this instance latching lever releasenoises can attain an intolerable frequency unless eliminated byappropriate latching lever designs.

The schematic circuit of FIG. 16 shows an electrical circuit effectingthe interconnection of electromagnet 82 to particle detector 31 toeffect hold-open and closing of door 2 in a failsafe manner ofoperation. Additionally, theschematic circuitry incorporates a conditionresponsive detector and amplifier unit within module 15 which isfailsafe in operation. In particular, if all of the components of themodule 15 are properly operating, door 2 will remain in hold-openeffected by the latching of either roller 109 or 110 against latchingdetent 127 in response to the manual closing of control switch 151. If,however, module 15 is not properly operating or, alternatively, thisunit senses a condition such as flame or smoke, door 2 will be releasedfrom a latched hold-open position effected either by roller 109 or 110and closed in response to the closing force exerted by coil spring 84.

The detailed operation of the circuitry of FIG. 16 is as follows.Assuming module 15 is in proper operating condition and that theparticle detector 31 input applied to terminals 152 and 153 indicates anabsence of a flame or smoke condition, door 2 will be held in the openposition in response to the manual closing of switch 151; that is, theclosing of switch 151 applies line voltage from terminals 154 and 155 toamplifier A of module 15. The application of line voltage to amplifier Aenergizes amplifier'output relay 156, thereby closing normally opencontact 156a.

The closing of contact 156a applies line voltage to the coil of powerrelay 157. With this occurrence, normally open contact 157a is closed,thereby applying line voltage to fullwave bridge rectifier 158 toenergize electromagnet 82 with a pulsating-direct-current voltage. (Thephysical position of a module containing bridge 158 is shown in FIGS.10-13).

The energization of electromagnet 82 causes magnetic armature 124 toresiliently hold lever 120 downwardly (FIG. 10) and into lockingengagement with either roller 109 or roller 1 10 against latching detent127 (if door is manually opened).

Accordingly, lever 120 holds rotor 97 with sufficient force to overcomethe otherwise closing force exerted by coil spring 84. Thus, so long asthe electromagnet 82 is energized, door 2 will be held in an openposition.

In the event, however, (a) a slight manual closing force is applied todoor 2, (b) switch 151 is opened, module malfunctions, or (d) anundesired condition such as smoke or flame is detected by detector 31,lever detent 127 will be pivoted from engagement with roller 109 or 110,as the case may be, and spring 84 will close the door to the positionshown in FIG. 1.

In the situation of case (a) above, the manual override closing forcecauses disposition of the lever assembly 83 components as shown in FIG.12 during the point of operation at which roller 109, for example, is incamming engagement with latching detent 127.

In situations (b), (c) and (d) above, electromagnet 82 is deenergized,thereby enabling the camming action of roller 109 or 110, as the casemay be (see FIG. 13), to elevate lever 120 as well as armature 124 as isshown in this Figure.

In a multiple door installation, such as the corridor application shownin FIG. 2 in which only holder-closer 1 need incorporate a detectormodule 15, the electromagnet of holder-closer l is merely interconnectedwith the circuitry for holder-closer 1 so that both electromagnets(corresponding to electromagnet 82) are energized or deenergizedsimultaneously.

Reset pushbutton switch 62 is connected to amplifier A of module 15 sothat the circuitry can be again placed in a detecting readinesscondition after the closer has released in response to a fire or alarmcondition. Switch 62 is accessible for manual operation from the frontof cover 7 (FIGS. 7 and 9).

Pilot light 63 is also connected to amplifier A of module 15. When thecircuitry is in a properly operating supervisory condition, the pilotlight will periodically emit light. When a fire, etc. is detected, thepilot light will remain on. A deenergized pilot light indicates anelectrical malfunction. In a preferred circuit arrangement the circuitrylocks into an alarm condition (pilot light 63 on) and remains in analarm condition until the unit is reset by manual operation of switch62.

FIGS. 17 through 21 show a second embodiment of the invention which ingeneral is characterized by the use of a second form of photocellparticle detector 64. Particle detector 31, employed in the firstembodiment, is characterized by a detector element 34 which is operatedby light diffusion or reflection in response to the entry of products ofcombustion into internal chamber 36. The particle detector 64 of thesecond embodiment is characterized by light absorption or attenuation oflight traveling from a light source to a photocell detecting element.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 19, the front of cover 7 is formed with twoelongated slots 65, the bottom is formed with a single elongated slot66, and the top is formed with an identical elongated slot 67. Theparticular form and disposition of slots 65, 66 and 67 enable efficientpassage of the particulate products of combustion into the interior ofthe door holder-closer 1. More particularly, these products must passinto elongated detector tube 68 so that light emanating from source 33(FIGS. 18, 20 and 21) may be absorbed or attenuated in its path oftravel to photocell 69. Detector tube 68 is formed by a plurality ofspaced support plates 70 which extend from the front to the rear of tube68. The peripheral edges of support plate 70 carry blackened wire screen71 whose interstices permit the passage of smoke into the interiorchamber of detector tube 68. Each of the plates is formed with a centralhole 72. Accordingly, light emanating from source lamp 33 travelsthrough light conduit elbow 73 (FIG. 20) in a path of travel in whichthe light is reflected from mirror surface 74 through-lens 75 throughthe plurality of axially aligned holes 72 to impinge upon photocell 69.

Light from source 33 also travels through a second path which includessecond light conduit elbow 76. Light traveling in this conduit elbow isreflected by mirror 76 and follows a path through lens 77 into closedstandard tube 78 to thus impinge upon photocell 160. The interiorchamber formed by standard tube 78 is hermetically sealed and,accordingly, any products of combustion cannot enter this tube and,therefore, no light absorption occurs within this tube during smokeentry into the inner confines of closer 1.

Referring now to FIG. 21, photocells 69 and are connected in a bridgecircuit with variable resistors 161 and 162. Output terminals 152 and153 of the bridge circuit correspond to like numbered terminals shown inthe schematic circuit of FIG. 16. Likewise, terminals 60 and 61connected to lamp 33 correspond to the like numbered terminals alsoshown in FIG. 16. The only circuit change is the substitution of theparticle detector 64 for particle detector 31. By making appropriateconnections to terminals 60 and 61, 152 and 153, circuit operation isobtained which is substantially identical to that previously describedwith respect to FIG. 16. Variable resistors 161 and 162 are normallyadjusted so that with ambient condition no signal appears at the outputof amplifier A. However, in the event smoke enters detector tube 68through wire screen 71, the bridge becomes unbalanced and a signalchange appears at terminals 152 and 153. This signal change is appliedto amplifier circuit A in accordance with the operation previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 16, thus causing door holder-closer 1to close door 2.

It should be understood that the above described embodiments are merelyillustrative and that changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A condition responsive electromechanical closure holder-closer foruse with a closure adapted for relative movement with respect to aclosure frame, comprising a housing containing the closure holder-closerand adapted to be surface mounted adjacent and above the closure, aspring located within the housing for exerting a closing force on theclosure, a damper located within the housing and coupled to the springfor controlling the spring exerted closing force applied to the closure,an electromagnetic arresting means located within the housing with whenenergized arrests the spring-damper subcombination from closing anotherwise open closure relative the frame and which when deenergizedenables the spring-damper subcombination to close the closure relativethe frame, an arm assembly adapted to couple the closure to the closureholdercloser to provide closure control responsive to the energized ordeenergized condition of the electromagnetic latch, a photoelectriccondition-responsive detector contained within the housing and connectedto the electromagnetic arresting means to control the energized ordeenergized condition thereof, and means including passageways formed insaid housing by which said internally housed detector is subjected to afluid flow characteristic of the presence of said condition todeenergize an otherwise energized electromagnetic arresting means tothereby enable the holder-closer to release and close an otherwise openclosure.

2. A condition responsive door holder-closer comprising a housing, acloser spring and a dashpot disposed within the housing, a drive spindleprojecting through the housing and coupled to the spring-dashpotsubcombination to be responsive to the damped forces exerted by thesubcombination, means within the housing for arresting the spindle at adoor holdopen position, means including one or more openings in saidhousing for defining passageways within said housing to facilitate fluidflow within the housing including the particulate products ofcombustion, a photocell detec tor for the particulate products ofcombustion located within the housing, and means interconnecting thedetector to the spindle arresting means to release the spindle inresponse to the flow of the particulate products of combustion throughsaid housing passageway means.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the housing is generallyhorizontally disposed on a door frame immediately over the door, and anarm couples the spindle to the door so that the door and spindle areresponsive motionwise to one another.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which the door is pivoted for movementrelative the frame, the spindle being located adjacent the pivot axisfor the door and generally at one end of the housing, and the passagewaydefining means being generally located at the opposite end of thehousing remote from the pivot axis.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the door holder-closer housing iselongated and generally horizontally disposed on the surface of theframe.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the passageway defined throughthe housing is generally vertical.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which the passage way ddefined throughthe housing is both vertical and horizontal attained by openings locatedon the top, front, and bottom of the housing.

8. A condition responsive door holder-closer contained within a housing,comprising a photocell condi tion detector located within the housingand responsive to fluid flow carrying the particulate products ofcombustion, means including one or more openings in said housingdefining a fluid flow passageway within said housing to said conditionresponsive detector, a closerholder spring-dashpot combination includingelectrically operated means for arresting the spring-dashpot combinationto a door hold-open position with the spring, dashpot and electricallyoperated means being disposed within the housing, and meansinterconnecting the condition responsive detector to the electricallyoperated arresting means whereby the passage of the particulate productsof combustion through an opening into the passageway releases anarrested spring-dashpot combination.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which the one or more openings islocated generally at one end of the housing, and means located generallyat the other end of the housing and projecting therethrough for couplingto a door to effect hold-open and also door release.

10. The combination of claim 9 in which a door opening is defined by aframe having a header portion at the top of the frame, and in which thehousing is supported at the top of the frame with the one or morehousing openings being generally located toward the mid-portion of theheader and the door coupling means being located generally at an endportion of the header.

11. The combination of claim 8 in which a plurality of housing openingsdefines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of the housing.

12. The combination of claim 10 in which a plurality of housing openingsdefines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of the housing.

13. A condition responsive door holder-closer to control a doorpivotally mounted relative an opening defined by a frame having a headerportion at the top of the frame, comprising a housing supported abovethe door on or near the header portion, a closer spring and a dashpotdisposed within the housing, a drive spindle projecting through thehousing and coupled to the spring-dashpot combination to be responsivelyrotatable by the damped forces exerted by the combination, the spindlebeing located adjacent the pivot axis of the door and generally near anend of the housing mounted adjacent an end of the header portion, an armcoupling the projected end of the spindle to the door to alsoresponsively rotate the spindle by forces exerted on the door, aphotocell detector for the particulate products of combustion locatedgenerally at the opposite end of the housing toward the midportion ofthe door opening, electrically operated means located within the housingfor arresting the spring-dashpot combination to a door holdopenposition, and means interconnecting the condition responsive detector tothe electrically operated arresting means whereby the passage ofproducts of combustion through the door opening releases an arrestedspringdashpot combination to close an open door.

14. The combination of claim 13 in which the housing is elongated and isdisposed generally horizontally on its elongated axis.

15. In a condition responsive door holder contained within a housing andadapted to be mounted immediately over a door opening, the holderincluding electrically operated means within the housing for effecting adoor hold-open condition, the improvement comprising a particulateproducts of combustion photocell detector located within the housing andresponsive to particulate products of combustion and in which detectoran electrical current characteristic is altered in response to detectionof such particulate products of combustion, means including one or moreopenings in said housing defining a fluid flow passageway within saidhousing to said detector, and means interconnecting the detector to theelectrically operated means whereby the passage of the particulateproducts of combustion through the passageway actuates the door holderfrom a hold-open condition whereby the door is no longer positively heldopen by the door holder.

1. A condition responsive electromechanical closure holdercloser for usewith a closure adapted for relative movement with respect to a closureframe, comprising a housing containing the closure holder-closer andadapted to be surface mounted adjacent and above the closure, a springlocated within the housing for exerting a closing force on the closure,a damper located within the housing and coupled to the spring forcontrolling the spring exerted closing force applied to the closure, anelectromagnetic arresting means located within the housing with whenenergized arrests the spring-damper subcombination from closing anotherwise open closure relative the frame and which when deenergizedenables the spring-damper subcombination to close the closure relativethe frame, an arm assembly adapted to couple the closure to the closureholdercloser to provide closure control responsive to the energized ordeenergized condition of the electromagnetic latch, a photoelectriccondition-responsive detector contained within the housing and connectedto the electromagnetic arresting means to control the energized ordeenergized condition thereof, and means including passageways formed insaid housing by which said internally housed detector is subjected to afluid flow characteristic of the presence of said condition todeenergize an otherwise energized electromagnetic arresting means tothereby enable the holdercloser to release and close an otherwise openclosure.
 2. A condition responsive door holder-closer comprising ahousing, a closer spring and a dashpot disposed within the housing, adrive spindle projecting through the housing and coupled to thespring-dashpot subcombination to be responsive to the damped forcesexerted by the subcombination, means within the housing for arrestingthe spindle at a door holdopen position, means including one or moreopenings in said housing for defining passageways within said housing tofacilitate fluid flow within the housing including the particulateproducts of combustion, a photocell detector for the particulateproducts of combustion located within the housing, and meansinterconnecting the detector to the spindle arresting means to releasethe spindle in response to the flow of the particulate products ofcombustion through said housing passageway means.
 3. The combination ofclaim 2 in which the housing is generally horizontally disposed on adoor frame immediately over the door, and an arm couples the spindle tothe door so that the door and spindle are responsive motionwise to oneanother.
 4. The combination of claim 3 in which the door is pivoted formovement relative the frame, the spindle being located adjacent thepivot axis for the door and generally at one end of the housing, and thepassageway defining means being generally located at the opposite end ofthe housing remote from the pivot axis.
 5. The combination of claim 4 inwhich the door holder-closer housing is elongated and generallyhorizontally disposed on the surface of the frame.
 6. The combination ofclaim 5 in which the passageway defined through the housing is generallyvertical.
 7. The combination of claim 6 in which the passageway ddefinedthrough the housing is both vertical and horizontal attained by openingslocated on the top, front, and bottom of the housing.
 8. A conditionresponsive door holder-closer contained within a housing, comprising aphotocell condition detector located within the housing and responsiveto fluid flow carrying the particulate products of combustion, meansincluding one or more openings in said housing defining a fluid flowpassageway within said housing to said condition responsive detector, acloser-holder spring-dashpot combination including electrically operatedmeans for arresting the spring-dashpot combination to a door hold-opEnposition with the spring, dashpot and electrically operated means beingdisposed within the housing, and means interconnecting the conditionresponsive detector to the electrically operated arresting means wherebythe passage of the particulate products of combustion through an openinginto the passageway releases an arrested spring-dashpot combination. 9.The combination of claim 8 in which the one or more openings is locatedgenerally at one end of the housing, and means located generally at theother end of the housing and projecting therethrough for coupling to adoor to effect hold-open and also door release.
 10. The combination ofclaim 9 in which a door opening is defined by a frame having a headerportion at the top of the frame, and in which the housing is supportedat the top of the frame with the one or more housing openings beinggenerally located toward the mid-portion of the header and the doorcoupling means being located generally at an end portion of the header.11. The combination of claim 8 in which a plurality of housing openingsdefines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of the housing.12. The combination of claim 10 in which a plurality of housing openingsdefines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of the housing.13. A condition responsive door holder-closer to control a doorpivotally mounted relative an opening defined by a frame having a headerportion at the top of the frame, comprising a housing supported abovethe door on or near the header portion, a closer spring and a dashpotdisposed within the housing, a drive spindle projecting through thehousing and coupled to the spring-dashpot combination to be responsivelyrotatable by the damped forces exerted by the combination, the spindlebeing located adjacent the pivot axis of the door and generally near anend of the housing mounted adjacent an end of the header portion, an armcoupling the projected end of the spindle to the door to alsoresponsively rotate the spindle by forces exerted on the door, aphotocell detector for the particulate products of combustion locatedgenerally at the opposite end of the housing toward the midportion ofthe door opening, electrically operated means located within the housingfor arresting the spring-dashpot combination to a door hold-openposition, and means interconnecting the condition responsive detector tothe electrically operated arresting means whereby the passage ofproducts of combustion through the door opening releases an arrestedspringdashpot combination to close an open door.
 14. The combination ofclaim 13 in which the housing is elongated and is disposed generallyhorizontally on its elongated axis.
 15. In a condition responsive doorholder contained within a housing and adapted to be mounted immediatelyover a door opening, the holder including electrically operated meanswithin the housing for effecting a door hold-open condition, theimprovement comprising a particulate products of combustion photocelldetector located within the housing and responsive to particulateproducts of combustion and in which detector an electrical currentcharacteristic is altered in response to detection of such particulateproducts of combustion, means including one or more openings in saidhousing defining a fluid flow passageway within said housing to saiddetector, and means interconnecting the detector to the electricallyoperated means whereby the passage of the particulate products ofcombustion through the passageway actuates the door holder from ahold-open condition whereby the door is no longer positively held openby the door holder.